36 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



Anatomical studies of the rainbow trout b}' the division of scien- 

 tific inquiry Avere continued throughout the year at the Erwin 

 (Tenn.) station, and a number of facts pertaining to the reproduc- 

 tive organs of the female fish that were heretofore not understood 

 have been brought out. 



Climatic conditions during the spring of 1922 were not favorable 

 to a large output of the pond fishes, except at San Marcos, Tex., and 

 Louisville, Ky. At all the other stations of this class there was a 

 marked decrease in the output, due to sudden changes in water 

 temperature, which caused the bass to desert their nests. 



Owing to lack of funds the bureau did not cooperate with the State 

 of Minnesota in the collection of pike-perch eggs in the Rainy Lake 

 region. BufFalofish propagation was conducted as usual in the State 

 of Louisiana. Previous to the opening of the spawning season the 

 hatchery on the Atchafalaya River was removed to Pelba, about 1 

 mile distant, because of the erosion of the river bank at the old site. 

 Pelba is a more favorable location for the collection of buifalofish 

 eggs, being nearer the center of the spawning grounds. Approxi- 

 mately 142,000,000 eggs were obtained, an increase of about 35 per 

 cent over collections of the preceding year. The spawning season 

 was delayed somewhat beyond the usual time by the backward 

 spring, the first eggs being taken March 9. and on April 4 collections 

 were discontinued on account of high water. Taking advantage of 

 an opportunity, the bureau collected approximately 57,000,000 

 buffalofish es:gs in connection with fishing operations on the upper 

 Mississippi River at Bellevue, Iowa, and Lynxville, Wis. This is 

 considered conservation work oft he highest importance, since the 

 eggs would be sent to the market and lost w^ere it not for the inter- 

 vention of the bureau. 



RESCUE OPERATIONS IN MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY. 



The salvage of food fishes from the temporarily overflowed lands 

 along the Mississippi River has continued to be a prominent duty of 

 the fish-cultural service. All of the important old fields were occu- 

 pied, but no new territory was covered for lack of funds. The work 

 at Meredosia, 111., was discontinued, because the former fields are 

 now utilized for agriculture and by clubs interested in creating duck- 

 shooting preserves. The owners of preserves refused to permit the 

 bureau to operate seines in the pools on the ground that it would 

 disturb the ducks and destroy their natural food. The equipment 

 at this point was distributed among the upper river stations, and the 

 buildings were sold to the highest bidder. The principal centers 

 of rescue work were Homer, Minn., La Crosse, Wis., Marquette and 

 Bellevue, Iowa. 



Favorable water conditions permitted the rescue crews to start 

 operations early in August, 1921. As the water receded additional 

 crews were placed at points between Prescott, Minn., and Bellevue, 

 Iowa, and the work was prosecuted until stopped by freezing 

 weather in November. At La Crosse, Bellevue, and Marquette re- 

 taining stations are used for holding fishes needed for distribution 

 to applicants. At other points it has been found more economical 

 to operate from specially constructed house boats, as the rescued fish 



